Keziah Daum is not apologizing for wearing what she calls a "beautiful" Chinese cheongsam dress to her high school prom, despite receiving backlash from thousands of people online, some of whom called her a "closet racist" and accused her of cultural appropriation.
Daum, 18, posted an album of four prom pictures on Twitter on April 22 with the simple caption, "PROM." One of the photos in the album includes Daum crouching down in the traditional Chinese dress, posing with a group of her friends with their hands folded together — a gesture many deemed inappropriate.
It didn't take long for the Internet to respond. As of Monday evening, Daum's post has been retweeted nearly 4,400 times and now she's fielding hundreds of angry comments.
"What's the theme of your life? Ignorant?" one user asked
"This isn’t ok. I wouldn’t wear traditional Korean, Japanese or any other traditional dress and I’m Asian. I wouldn’t wear traditional Irish or Swedish or Greek dress either. There’s a lot of history behind these clothes. Sad," another added.
"Oh god! The pose is just the cherry on top of this casually racist post. It's not just a dress, it's something that means something historically and traditionally to the Chinese," another added.
Another simply called her a "closet racist."
But the teenager, who reportedly attends Woods Cross High School in Utah, defended her decision to wear the red-orange embroidered gown. And said she would wear it again to show her "respect" for the Chinese culture.
"To everyone causing so much negativity: I mean no disrespect to the Chinese culture. I’m simply showing my appreciation to their culture. I’m not deleting my post because I’ve done nothing but show my love for the culture. It’s a f---ing dress. And it’s beautiful," she tweeted on Saturday.
She then added, "To everyone who says I’m ignorant, I fully understand everyone’s concerns and views on my dress. I mean no harm. I am in no way being discriminative or racist. I’m tired of all the backlash and hate when my only intent was to show my love."
But some followers didn't think Daum had the right to determine whether the gesture or dress was racist or not.
"If you’re not Chinese don’t decide whether it’s racist or not," one Twitter user replied.
"If you're not Chinese then you have no right to speak up about this," another echoed.
Some called on the teen to simply apologize and "move on."
"I'm Chinese & think it's fine if u wore a qipao cuz it's pretty. But u need to apologize for the pose. It doesn't matter that u didn't mean any harm or that it wasn't ur idea," another agreed. "You did it cuz YOU were ignorant that it's offensive. Apologize for unintentionally mocking and move on," one Twitter user wrote.
"You’re trying to make yourself the victim when all you had to do was apologize and learn," another added.
Daum told INSIDER she spotted the dress in a Salt Lake City thrift store weeks before prom, and knew instantly that it was the one.
"I bought the dress because I thought it was beautiful and admired the beauty of the culture," she told the site.
She had no idea it would garner this type of response.
"I feel people have seen the photos and others' opinions and [have] viewed them in the wrong way. Making assumptions is something that has definitely caused a lot of this controversy and backlash," she told INSIDER. "I would like my critics to know that I have no ill intent against other cultures and that I was simply showing my appreciation."
Daum didn't battle her critics alone, however. Dozens of people reached out to support the young woman and blasted Twitter users for being "so sensitive."
"Peace girl doing a hell of a job spreading peace and love," one Twitter user replied.
"Why can’t we grow up and not be so sensitive about what someone wears. It doesn’t matter," another added.
As tensions continue to rise, so does Daum's Twitter follower count. The 18-year-old has gained thousands of followers since she posted the photos. As of Monday evening, she has more than 9,400 followers.
"Thank you to EVERYONE who has been messaging me about the dress. I’m trying to respond to as many as I can. Thank you for your kindness!" Daum posted on Sunday.
haha meanwhile..over here in actual Asia. they are trying to get those dresses to go mainstream and selling in foreign markets
2MuchMark
05-01-2018 01:12 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Acepimp
(Post 22262255)
The deranged leftists have to ruin everything
What a bunch of a-holes
:1orglaugh
Not fair of you to lump us all in to the same category, good sir.
I'm a lefty, I would not call her a racist, and wouldn't even accuse her of cultural appropriation. If she wanted throw on a lumber jacket, a tuque and smother herself in poutine, I still wouldn't cry.
To me she just likes the dress, and people are freaking out about nothing.
See? You CAN agree with a lefty!
MaDalton
05-01-2018 01:42 PM
What about non Scottish people in kilts that don't even know what clan they represent?
Matt-ADX
05-01-2018 02:00 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2MuchMark
(Post 22262293)
Not fair of you to lump us all in to the same category, good sir.
I'm a lefty, I would not call her a racist, and wouldn't even accuse her of cultural appropriation. If she wanted throw on a lumber jacket, a tuque and smother herself in poutine, I still wouldn't cry.
To me she just likes the dress, and people are freaking out about nothing.
See? You CAN agree with a lefty!
When would you accuse someone of that?
HairyChick
05-01-2018 06:59 PM
I saw this on The Talk today. I see nothing wrong with wearing it as it's a beautiful dress. She didn't slant her eyes or carry chopsticks. Wearing a cultural item isn't disrespectful at all.
People want their version of political correctness for all.
Back in the late eighties Chinese jackets were popular. They had a mandarin collar that stood up, no buttons and were tufted. I don't remember ever hearing that we were invading a culture. The style caught on; period.
If everything you wore was dissected, someone, somewhere would have an issue.
bronco67
05-01-2018 07:45 PM
I think the Chinese can take a fucking chill pill on this one. She thought the dress is beautiful, so she wore it. She looks stunning and probably had every eye at the prom on her.
Some people just get too tied up in their anscestral/ethnic background and it's fucking annoying. I'm half Italian and half German and I don't really give two shits about Italians or Germans. I might visit those countries some day but that's about it. Every year St Patrick's day comes and I have to endure it twice because my city has the parade two weeks before the actual St Patrick's day. So everyone is talking about the stupid parade and then it comes up again on the real holiday. Who gives a fuck about Irish people and how they love to celebrate being drunk assholes? Why do I have to be aware that your holiday is happening?
This same shit applies to the Chinese. So what you're offended by a white girl wearing a dress? Get on with your life. No I'm not being sarcastic.
Bladewire
05-01-2018 07:51 PM
This is why I'm not a leftist I'd smack the shit out of those people attacking her IRL. Political correctness is poison to any culture, just as much as ignorant angry poorly educated voters.
bronco67
05-01-2018 08:37 PM
Check her coke for pee pee.
brassmonkey
05-01-2018 08:43 PM
cheongsam or qipao is a party dress i guess. men also wear them. lol blade try one on! if you google it yes they are party dresses
Boozer
05-01-2018 08:47 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bladewire
(Post 22262478)
This is why I'm not a leftist I'd smack the shit out of those people attacking her IRL. Political correctness is poison to any culture, just as much as ignorant angry poorly educated voters.
Who are you trying to kid? You would not do a damn thing.
This is why I'm not a leftist I'd smack the shit out of those people attacking her IRL. Political correctness is poison to any culture, just as much as ignorant angry poorly educated voters.
Are you high? You are literally the cancer that is the left these days. Screaming FAKE NIC RUSSIAN TROLL at anyone who even questions that maybe the Right or Trump might have done even 1 thing right.
You are easily the worst poster on this entire board. I don't think I cringe more at anyone else's posts
CurrentlySober
05-02-2018 06:48 AM
i cunt a4d a Chinese dress 2 put on... :(
tfto
05-02-2018 08:07 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt-ADX
(Post 22262669)
Are you high? You are literally the cancer that is the left these days. Screaming FAKE NIC RUSSIAN TROLL at anyone who even questions that maybe the Right or Trump might have done even 1 thing right.
You are easily the worst poster on this entire board. I don't think I cringe more at anyone else's posts
:thumbsup:thumbsup:thumbsup
Pretty much says it all.
newB
05-02-2018 08:12 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by StefanG
(Post 22262308)
What about non Scottish people in kilts that don't even know what clan they represent?
Usually people opt for the Stewart, but any of these are acceptable.
But really, wearing a clan's plaid is not as big a deal as wearing their crest.
